John Hoffman, 89, died Thursday, November 16, 2006 at Pioneer Memorial Care Center, Erskine, MN.

Funeral Service will be 10:30 AM, Tuesday, November 21, 2006 at Faith Lutheran Church, Goodridge, MN with Reverend Robert Dahlen officiating. Burial will be at Greenwood Cemetery, Thief River Falls, MN.

Visitation will be 5 " 7 PM, Monday, November 20, 2006 at Johnson Funeral Service, Thief River Falls, MN and for one hour prior to service at the church, Tuesday.

John Jacob Hoffman was born June 15, 1917 at home, Section 6, Star Township, MN, the son of Joseph Vatslav and Bessie Cecelia (Brantl) Hoffman. He grew up in the area and attended school District #59. That particular district had the highest enrollment in Pennington County with 48 children, 1-8. Teachers salary being $ 45 per month.

On December 3, 1939, John was united in marriage to Jeanette Elizabeth Marquette in a parsonage at Thief River Falls, MN. They worked in the bees, with Jeanettes dad and brothers for two years prior to and following their marriage. They went to Beaver Dam, WI, where they worked in a canning factory for one summer. John and Jeanette worked out for several years in the Lake Bronson and Warren, MN area for farmers as farm laborers. John and Jeanette moved to and worked in the Crookston area for a couple of years, before buying a farm near Goodridge, MN in 1946. In the early 50s, John worked for Pennington County as a motor grader operator for several years, then started his own plowing and construction business.

He loved to restore and trade old tractors, preferably John Deere. He liked to hunt and fish and could build anything you could think of. He was very inventive and his projects were known to be extremely sturdy. He enjoyed spending time with his dog, Boots. John and Jeanette were awarded the 1991 Valley Farmer and Homemaker Award and they were recognized by the Goodridge Community for their contributions to the history of the community. He was a long standing member of Minnesota Viewers Association and was very familiar with ditch law. He also served on the Senior Citizens Housing Board.

John is survived by 3 children: Roger (Mag Melgard), Goodridge, MN, Rodney (Sylvia), Goodridge, MN, and Cheryl (Brian) Kellogg, Peru, MA; 3 grandchildren: Kristin (Steve) Lamontagne, Rochester, NY, Alissa (Tim) Hruby, Goodridge, MN, and Lacey (Joe Hruby) Hoffman, Goodridge, MN; many nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Jeanette, on January 6, 2006; parents; a brother, Oldrich; 2 sisters, Beatrice Dahl and Marie Rehm.

Family condolences may be sent at www.johnsonfuneralservice.com
ORGANIST: Kathy Nordine
SOLOIST: Deb Farris
SELECTIONS: Masters Bouquet and Go Rest High on That Mountain
CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS: Borning Cry and Amazing Grace
PALLBEARERS: Kenny Nelson, David Schlofer, Paul Odette, Robert Paulson, Wally Anderson and Ronnie Haugen
HONORARY PALLBEARERS: All Johns relatives and friends